The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Inside The Parker - MLB Players/Owners Will Figure It Out; No Universal DH; Forget Jeter Haters; Hall of Famer Rod Carew

Episode Date: May 28, 2020

This week on Inside the (Rob) Parker, Rob thinks MLB players and owners will eventually reach a compromise on the terms of a season despite recent contentious headlines, explains why he's against a universal DH for the pandemic shortened season. Hall of Famer Rod Carew joins the pod to reflect on his life, career, and give his thoughts on hitting today. Cubs pregame host Cole Wright discusses the new Cubs network, and expectations for the shortened season. Click here to subscribe and download all of the latest Inside the Parker podcasts!! Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed Human. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo, and every episode, we're cutting through the noise,

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Another podcast from some SNL late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smigel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel, help an acapella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter.

Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On the Look Back at it podcast. From 1979, that was a big moment for me. 84 is big to me. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a year, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. With our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors.

Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. 84 was a wild. I mean, it was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hard Way with your favorite therapist and host, Kear Games. This space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that it's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having them with a licensed professional who knows what he's doing.

How many men carry a suit or armor? It signals to the world that you not to be played with. And just because you have the capability that does not mean that you need to. Listen to learn the hard way on the AHA radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Get right to the romance and find the way to wow this Valentine's with 1800flowers.com. From classic roses and bouquets to decadent chocolate-covered berries, gourmet treats, and more. Surprise your Valentine with 1,800flowers.com. Right now, get the 18-stem enchanted rose medley for $3999, or upgrade to 24 red roses for $10 more.

Go to 1-800flowers.com slash tune-in. That's 1-800flowers.com slash tune-in. From the Berkshires to the sound. From wherever you live in MLB America, this is Inside the Parker. You give us 22 minutes and we'll give you the scoop on Major League Baseball. Now here's Baseball Hall of Fame voter number one. Rob Parker. Welcome into Inside the Parker, the All-MLB podcast.

I'm your host, Rob Parker. What a show we have for you today. First up, MLB Hall of Famer Rod Carew with that sweet swing. We'll talk about his new book. Also, from the Marquis Sports Network, you know, the Cubs' new TV network, we will talk to Cole Wright. He will give us a preview about the 2020. Cubs, that and much more.

But first, it's getting robbed. Better up. To lead off, it's getting robbed. And keep them up. Rob's hot take on the three biggest stories in Major League Baseball. Number one. Baseball fans relax. I get it.

The initial talk between the owners and the players union doesn't sound good. People are in a panic. Oh, my God. Are they not going to play baseball in 2013? 20, will it be 18 months before we see baseball again? I'm just not in that camp. I understand the players not wanting to give up a lot of stuff that they've had to sacrifice for in order to get.

And I also understand the owners. You can't give out money that you don't have. This is going to be a very different baseball season when you talk about no fans, no concessions, no parking, no ballpark merchant. dice, that's a lot of money. Owners say it's 40% of what they bring in. I get the TV money is big and baseball lives off of it. But it's got to be a compromise.

We got to have baseball. I do believe the two sides will figure this out, work it out, and players have a vested interest. Because if this thing goes awry, it'll be hard for next year that free agents and guys who don't have contracts will feel good about or be in a good situation. So I think this thing will get worked out. Both sides need to get this done. And best of all, and most of all, America needs baseball during this time. A July 4 start would be awesome.

Number two. I'm sorry. I'm not on board with the Universal D.H. I understand they want to implement it just for this season. because of the pandemic and what's going to be involved in pitchers and trying to protect pitchers. But I hope this isn't a precursor to a universal DH. The DH was introduced in the American League in 1973 when Ron Bloomberg stepped to the plate for the New York Yankees. He was the first DH ever.

And the American League has had it. The National League has used it when they've played in the American League ballparks. People always talk about it ads offense. It takes away strategy, though. In the managers, using pitchers, pinch hitting, doing other things. I love the National League brand of baseball. I just do. And this whole idea of saving pitchers from getting hurt,

I just don't remember too many pitchers ever getting hurt by batting or running the bases or whatever. It just doesn't happen that often. I think they understand their pitchers. and they run with caution and they hit with caution. So I'll accept it this year. I'm just hoping when the CBA is open and they're talking about 2021 and beyond that the D.H. is not a part of baseball in the National League.

Number three. I'm sorry. I just don't get it. Time and time these stories keep coming out about Derek Jeter being overrated. I just, you could go ahead and concoct all of your numbers and your pencil protectors and try to talk about where he fits in when it comes to war and all these other things and try to convince people that Derek Jeter was overrated. I just, there's also an eye test. I was in New York covering Derek Jeter when he broke in with the Yankees. And I just, I mean, I don't know what else the guy has to do.

It's a lifetime 300 batting average, have way over the six most hits in the major league somewhere in that area. You know, also won five World Series, made big signature plays, the flip in Oakland, the extra inning home run. In the playoffs against the Orioles, I could just go on and on and on. I don't know what Derek Jeter needed to do. He needed to get to every ground ball to satisfy some people. I know people want to say it was only because him playing in New York, and that's why Derek Jeter was a hell of a ball player, a Hall of Famer who the writers all but one voted for him on his first ballot to the Hall of Fame.

I think that rests my case. The people who covered the game the most and have seen him. play the most, all agree. He's a Hall of Famer, and it's not even debatable. Here comes the big interview. Listen and learn. Oh, it's so good. All right, let's welcome into the podcast, one of the all-time baseball greats,

Hall of Famer Rod Karoo with that beautiful swing. Rod Karoo, welcome to Inside the Parker. Thank you, sir. It's good to be on. Appreciate it. And, Rod, you got a new book coming out, right? One Tough Out, Fighting Off Life's Curveballs. Please tell me about your new book.

Well, it's a book that we were really trying to get people to read to understand about, you know, my heart attack, my heart transplant, kidney transplant, to let people be aware of the problems they can. have and to get themselves, get their hearts checked out and not do the, stay away from the things that they're doing that's going to create heart disease because, you know, heart disease is the number one killer in the United States. So it's a lot about that. It's some more baseball things that I was questioned about.

and it's to just let people be aware, you know, take care of your heart. Your story is incredible, born on a train in Panama, and to make it all the way through poverty and all kinds of hardships growing up all the way to the major leagues. And then not just making it to the major leagues, but being one of the all-time greats, the 1967. AL rookie of the year, the 1977, AL AL Most Valuable Player.

When you think about your career and all the things you did and what stands out the most? Is there any moment that just makes you smile even today? Well, you know, Rob, just being here because of being in the big leagues, because it's something that I promised my mom that I wanted to do when I was about seven or eight years old. And fortunately, I was lucky enough, and I was blessed with a talent to hit a baseball and play a little boy to play and go all the way to the top of my profession.

And I'm proud of the way that I stayed around for 19 years. and I was consistent in my job because that's what you want to do when you play sports or anything else in life that you want to do. You look for consistency, and I was able to perform consistently for 19 years. And Rod Karoo is our guest on Inside the Parker. And for you younger people, millennials, who maybe don't even know who Rod Karu is, You need to Google them, go to the Wikipedia to check it out. Because Rod Kru is one of the greatest contact hitters who ever played the game.

He won seven batting titles in the American League, the second most A.L. batting titles in the history of baseball behind Ty Cobb. So this guy could swing the bat. And back in 2016, the A.L. batting title was renamed the Rod Kourou, American League batting title in your honor. Rod, can you teach people how to hit, or is it just a natural thing, eye hand coordination? I know you could teach people how to have better at bats, but can you actually teach people how to hit? Well, you know, I think so, Rob.

You know, I think that, you know, if you teach him the simple things, which I try to do, you can make guys good hitters or better hitters. And I enjoy it because it's fun for me to teach. And when you know what you're talking about and you try to make it simple and not confused guys, yeah, I believe that you can. You know, you also have to have some knowledge of what you want to do and how you should go about it. So I've been through it all, and I was fortunate enough to come out pretty good. How about the game and the way it's set up now?

You only hit 92 home runs in your career, had over 3,000 hits, batting average over 300. When you see all the home runs, do you like that style of play or not? Not really, Rob. You know, it's a different game today. You know, they're trying to turn, you know, decent hitters into home run hitters. And, you know, there's certain hitters that can hit the ball out of the ballpark. Certain hitters can't.

You have to try and stay within yourself and understand what you can do when you're at the plate. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise. Breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines.

We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves. Their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context and ask the questions everybody wants answered. Sports slice brings you closer to the action. with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to SportsSlice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking, Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the day, of the thing. We get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession

of the thing and we're still chasing it and we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth or are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me. Kear Gains is we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, Learn the Hardway. Open your free iHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tap Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs?

Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking. What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam Jay. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick it here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill waxing all about crack in the 80s.

To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack on day, but just so y'all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack. So I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now. Thank you for finishing that sentence. Yes. I don't think there's a more important year for black people.

Really? Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up, guys? This is Cliver Taylor the Fourth. And on my podcast, The Cliver Show, I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff. Like being an internet famous referee.

We're in the middle of a game. This linebacker walks up to me, he goes, hey, ref, my mom wants you to work. wave at her. What? Time out. Quarterback on office blue with 42. Hey, Wreck, my mama want you to wave at her. What?

Hey, Miss Parker. Listen to the Clifford show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. If you start starting to uppercut the ball and throwing in miss or pop the ball up, that's telling you that you can't. So stay within yourself and do what you're capable of doing. His name is Rod Karoo. His new book is called One Tough Out, Fighting Off Life's Curve Balls. It was a honor and a privilege to have you on the podcast. Thank you.

Thank you so much, Rob. If you love to be remembered as the person who gives the best birthday gifts, I'm here to tell you that 1-800 Flowers.com is your ultimate birthday gifting destination. 1-800 Flowers has thoughtful and artfully created options that are guaranteed to deliver the best birthday surprise. Shop thousands of unique gifts at 1-800flowers.com for exclusive offers and great values. To order today, visit 1-800flowers.com slash tune-in. That's 1-800flowers.com slash tune in. Look through your children's eyes to see the true magic of a forest.

It's a storybook world for them. You look and see a tree. They see the wrinkled face of a wizard with arms outstretched to the sky. They see treasure and pebbles. They see a windy path that could lead to adventure. And they see you. Their fearless guide through this fascinating world. Find a forest near you and start exploring at discovertheforest.org.

Brought to you by the United States Forest Service and the ad council. What grows in the forest? Trees? Sure. Know what else grows in the forest? Our imagination. Our sense of wonder. and our family bonds grow too because when we disconnect from this

and connect with this we reconnect with each other. The forest is closer than you think. Find a forest near you and start exploring at Discovertheforest.org brought to you by the United States Forest Service and the Ad Council. It's time for the Pocket Protector Central.

The analytic numbers you need to know, well, maybe. Anthony Masterson is his name. BS analytics is his game. What do you got for me, Anthony? All right, Rob, when evaluating pitcher performance in the age of analytics, stat communities have tried to pinpoint all things a pitcher can actually control, namely strikeouts, walks, homers, and hit batters,

and spit out a metric that works on the same plane as ERA. Now, our pals of baseball perspectives threw their hat into the fray a few years back with deserved run average. Without getting too much into the minutia of linear weights, what DRA does is take every batted ball event and assign a league average weight for that particular play. Now, once you have your base, then you work on context. Now, everything is taken into account for this metric from league,

time of game, temperature, stadium, team defense, even the quality of the opposing batter. DRA judges, pitchers, not necessarily on the outcome of a play, but on the run expectancy of each play. I know. It's a lot. But describing the tireless work that goes into a metric like this could take days, but in one minute, I can simply say the nationals Stephen Strasbourg led all of baseball last season with a 2.13 DRA, even though he finished a distant fifth in the Salyung voting. Strasbourg maybe was more dominant than we actually thought. Anthony, I'm going to buy that. He was more dominant. He was a stud.

Anthony Masterson, thanks for the knowledge. Or is it fair? And now, here's shadowleague.com MLB insider, J.R. Gamble. All right, J.R, the owners have spoken. They want the players to take a bigger reduction than originally thought if we're going to have baseball. Is that foul or fair? That's foul. That is a foul ball. This sounds like chaos in motion to me, Rob.

It's all backwards. The owners want the season so they can stop losing money and start making some. The players want to get paid too, but it seems like they're going to. a bit more cautious about these COVID concerns. Telling them that they have to take a significant pay cut doesn't help the chances of this condensed, abbreviated 82-game circuit season even happening. I'm looking at these salaries.

They fall miserably under the pro-rated rate. The proposed salary cut is even worse. So if players make $563K or less, they'll be making about $262K. Players who make in a $35 million range, which are only two, they'll be making 7.84 million under this proposed change. So the MLPA is not going to go for it. This deal looks like it's back to the drawing board if they expect players to take that

significant of a cut. I hear you. Something's got to give, and we need baseball so hopefully they can come together. Take out for Trash Talk Twitter. Your chance to trash. anyone or anything in Major League Baseball. The winning tweet comes from at Rob Oak. He tweets, what's up with the Oakland Aids refusing to pay their minor leaguers?

They only make $400 a week. God forbid the A's ownership dips into the $2 billion treasure chest to help the guys at the bottom. Shaking my head. If you want a chance to win a nice. new era snapback, hit us up on my Twitter at Rob Parker, FS1, trash anyone or anything in the world of Major League Baseball, and you could be a winner. When Rob was a newspaper columnist, he lived by this motto. If I'm writing, I'm ripping.

Let's bring in a writer or broadcaster, older new. All right, let's welcome to the podcast, a buddy of mine, Cole Wright, who is the host of the pre and post game show for the Cubs on the Marquis Sports Network. What's up, Cole? How are you doing? Excellent, man. How you doing, Rob? Man, doing good.

Please. Tell me about this new network. I'm excited. The Cubs put together their own television network to broadcast the games. You're a part of the broadcast. And I know you can't wait to get started. Absolutely. You know, we've been doing shows at home, just like everybody else right now.

We've been doing a show called Cubs 360. You know, we have, you know, rotating panel of guests. You know, a lot of different people stopped by. You know, we've had, you know, George Will from the Washington Post, Michael Wilbon, J.A. Adande, you know, a whole host of players. We've got David Ross on. We just had Mike Napoli on yesterday. So, you know, we're trying to stay busy during these ever-changing times. And, you know, that's one of the best things that when I look at how everything's been done and unfolded so far, you know,

the chance for us to be able to go out there and speak. They have a different opinion on the same thing each and every single day. And it's nice to see how we creatively package that and how things have unfolded at the network. But I just can't wait to get back to doing pre and post game shows. Like I'm sure you can't wait to get back to watching regular old-fashioned baseball the way it was intended to during the summer in the thick of the thing, you know, the dog days of summer. And hopefully we'll see baseball back sooner than later, Rob.

No doubt about it. Tell me about the new skipper there, David Ross, the former catcher who has no managerial experience, but we've seen that done before. And he replaced, of course, Joe Madden. Tell me about him and what do we expect to see from the Cubs. You know, I expect to see a lot of success early. I know for David Ross as being, you know, year number one with no managerial experience, it's going to be a little bit different than what he should be used to in any other season.

where he'd have to navigate a 162-game schedule. And from all accounts, it looks as if it's going to be an 82-game season, if and when things finally do return. So he's going to have to maneuver his way through a whole different way. It's going to be a different season that's really – there's not going to be the ability to mess up off the top. You know, if that's – for lack of a better term. But he's not going to have that cushion that usually a first-year manager would have.

You know, the first half, there might be some hiccups here or there, but this is going to be a sprint to the finish. I mean, this is going to be the second half for the whole season. I mean, there's really going to be, you know, no break, no respite. So, you know, if the Cubs get off to a good start, which I really do believe that they will, I think, you know, things are going to fall right in a place for David Ross. I mean, Rob, we all know, man, everyone that knows baseball and everyone that's been around the game.

And if you've been able to sit and watch, we know that catchers usually make the best skippers. And I think for David Ross, knowing a whole handful of guys on the team and having played with them and won a World Series with these guys, I think it's going to make it that much easier for him to make that transition. You know, I spoke with Anthony Rizzo and Chris Bryant and Jason Hayward down in spring training in Arizona. And they said it's not the same David Ross. He's the manager now. He doesn't try to be the same David Ross, who hit a home running game seven of the World Series in 2016. He's David Ross the manager.

So I think as different as he is, I think he's also going to be the same, which is going to lend to his credibility this year. The Cubs, when I look at the roster, haven't changed that much. What are the biggest additions to this team? You know, as far as additions, I think it's the fact that they haven't made too many moves. Last night, a blown call changed the game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happens. happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise,

breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source, the athlete themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context, and ask the questions everybody wants answered. Sports slice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to SportsSlice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 and the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hardway with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking, Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark. Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase

that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing and we're still chasing it and we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth?

Are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro. Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. a good person. Join me, Keir Gaines, as we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood,

pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, Learn the Hardway. Open your free, IHeartRadio app. Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. Do you remember when Diana Ross double-tapped Little Kim's boobs at the VMAs? Or when Kanye said that George Bush didn't like black people. I know what you're thinking.

What the hell does George Bush got to do with Little Kim? Well, you can find out on the Look Back at it podcast. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick it here, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. Including a recent episode with Mark Lamont Hill, waxing all about crack in the 80s.

To be clear, 84 is big to me, not just because of crack. I'm down to talk about crack on day, but just so y'all know. I mean, at this point, Mark, this is the second episode where we've discussed crack. So I'm starting to see that there's a through line. We also have AIDS on the table right now. Thank you for finishing that sentence. I don't think there's a more important year for black people. Really?

Yeah. For me, it's one of the most important years for black people in American history. Listen to look back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up, guys? This is Clivert Taylor the Fourth. And on my podcast, The Cliverts Show, I'm bringing you conversations about all kinds of stuff. Like being an internet famous referee. We're in the middle of a game.

This linebacker walks up to me, he goes, hey, ref, my mom. Mom wants you to wave at her. What? Time out. Quarterback on office blue of 42. Hey, Rhett, Mom, I want you to wave at her. What? Hey, Ms. Parker.

Listen to the Clifford show on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. Just said, when it comes to big additions, I think the biggest difference is going to be off the top of the lineup. You know, with them going, Chris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, one, two, and then Javi Baez, potentially Kyle Schwarber, you know, after that, pick your poison. So, you know, for them to switch things up and go with their two best hitters really out of the gates, I think that it's an unorthodox approach, but I don't see why it hasn't been used before. It's almost like back in the day when we saw Tony LaRusa hit the pitcher 8th. So we had that extra leadoff, man, and then you could just, you know, almost pile on sooner rather than later.

So I think it's the amount of firepower that this Cubs team can have, because like you said, a lot of familiar faces in the lineup, and familiarity breeds confidence, and confidence can lend to a lot of different wins, and maybe we'll see that. Hopefully we will. Like I said, in this short and season, it's going to be a race to the finish, man.

When you look at the rotation, do you like it? Darvish, Hendrix, Lester, your top three and Katana is number four. Are you happy with that rotation? I don't mind that at all. I mean, they get out, and that's what pictures are designed to do. And like I said with that line up off the top, I mean, they could be in a lot of battles. And with Tyler Chatwood coming in that fifth slot, there could be a lot of instances where we see, you know, Cubs picture, you know, bottom of the second inning, you know, or, you know, whatever inning, wherever they're at.

But if bottom of the first, the top of the first, it could be a Cubs lead, boom, just like that, whether on the road, whether they're at home. I mean, they could jump out real quick and find themselves in a comfortable position. But I feel like getting out is the best thing. But they are getting a little bit older. So the sooner they get off to a better start with the offense helping them keep pace, I think things will be just fine and they'll slide right into place. His name is Cole Wright. He is the pre-and-post game host of Cubs baseball on the Marquis Sports Network.

Cole, thanks for the knowledge. Appreciate you. Hey, anytime, Rob. My pleasure. Adoption of teens from foster care is a topic. not enough people know about and we're here to change that. I'm April Dinwiddie host of the new podcast, Navigating Adoption, presented by Adopt U.S. Kids. Each episode brings you compelling real-life adoption stories

told by the families that live them with commentary from experts. Visit Adoptuskids.org slash podcast or subscribe to navigating adoption presented by Adopt U.S. Kids. Brought to you by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families and the Ad Council. If I could be you. And you could be me? for just one hour.

If you could find a way to get inside. Each other's mind. Walk a mile in my shoes. Walk a mile in my shoes. Walk a mile in my shoes. We've all felt left out. And for some, that feeling lasts more than a moment.

We can change that. Learn how at belonging begins with us.org. Brought to you by the ad council. What grows in the forest? Trees? Sure. Know what else grows in the forest? Our imagination. sense of wonder, and our family bonds grow too, because when we disconnect from this and connect

with this, we reconnect with each other. The forest is closer than you think. Find a forest near you and start exploring at Discovertheforest.org. Brought to you by the United States Forest Service and the Ad Council. Now it's time for some diamond dust with Wish TV's Phil Sanchez. Out of here! He played baseball in college. Now here is here is MLB Knowledge. All right, Rob, so I was recently asked if you could sit on a bench for an hour and talk with one baseball player, who would it be? Well, the list really long for me, but at the top, the late great Roberto Clemente. Now, Clemente played 18 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

He was a 16-time All-Star National League MVP, led to the league in hitting four times and won 12 consecutive gold gloves. Clemente died in 1972 at the age of 38. Six months later, he became the first. Latin American ball player to be enshrined into the baseball hall of fame. But as good as Clemente was on the field, it's what he did off the field that makes him stand out from the rest. Clementi was known for his fundraising and humanitarian work. He was well known for hosting free baseball clinics for underprivileged youth and delivered

significant financial aid to his native Puerto Rico. His untimely death was the result of a plane crash. On that plane, supplies for earthquake victims in Nicaragua. and every year Major League Baseball gives out an award to the player who best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, and community involvement. The name of that trophy, and rightly so, named the Roberto Clemente Award. Having said all of that, the only player I would rather talk to for an hour on a bench would be Jackie Robinson. And I think Roberto Clemente would agree.

Number 21 in that Pittsburgh jersey, it doesn't get better than that. Track one. Strike two. Speed, right three. Here's why MLB is better than the NFL or NBA, and it isn't even close. Here's the reason Major League Baseball is better than the NBA and NFL. It's the passion by fans.

This fan, Mark Carfagnow, believes Dick Allen belongs in the Hall of Fame. Hey, Mark, make your case. I go with the one big statistic, which is its career OPS Plus. which 156, tied for 21st all-time in baseball history. And there's players in there, Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Barry Bonds, Lou Gehrick, Mickey Mell. These are all people in front of them. And the only players behind them who played in his era are in the top 50 are Willie McCovey, Willie Storgel, and Frank Robinson.

And then the rest are nowhere to be found. So that's one statistic that right there. And then you always say, how does one do against their peers? How does one do against their peers? Well, he had 11-year peak from 1964 to 1974, where his OPS Plus was 165. That was the best in all of baseball. It had 13 future Hall of Famers players like Mays, or players like Clemente, Johnny Bench, players of that ilk.

You know, better than anybody. He's not in because he has a bad rot. People think that he is a malcontent, and he's got that bad boy image, which is a stigma that is wrongfully placed on him. It's not the truth. It's all rumors. It's all started by that Bill James.

He started all. He called him a bad teammate, bad person, a cancer in his club out, and then he did the win. And you ask all his teammates, I have testimonial from everybody. Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Mike Schmidt, all saying that that is wrong.

And they all say that Dick Allen, belongs in the Hall of Fame. Mark, I love your passion for Dick Allen. We'll see if he makes it into the Hall of Fame. In the words of New York TV legend, the late Bill Jorgensen, thanking you for your time this time until next time. Rob Parker, out. He can't get it.

This could be an inside of Parker. See you next week. Same bad time. Same bad station. Get right to the romance and find the way to wow this Valentine's with 1-800flowers. From classic roses and bouquets to decadent chocolate-covered berries, gourmet treats, and more. Surprise your Valentine with 1800flowers.com.

Right now, get the 18-stem enchanted rose medley for $39.99 or upgrade to 24 red roses for $10 more. Go to 1-800flowers.com slash tune in. That's 1-800flowers.com slash tune in. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind. And nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where SportsSlyce comes in. I'm Timbo.

And every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the biggest moments in sports and giving you the real story behind the headline. And we're going straight to the source, the athletes themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions in the moment, and the stuff nobody gets to hear.

Listen to SportsSlic on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Another podcast from some SNL late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and Friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer, Streeter Seidel,

help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the I-Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. On the Look Back at it podcast. In 1979, that was a big moment for me.

84 was big to me. I'm Sam J. And I'm Alex English. Each episode, we pick a year, unpack what went down, and try to make sense of how we survived it. With our friends, fellow comedians, and favorite authors. Like Mark Lamont Hill on the 80s. 84 was a wild year. I don't think there's a more important year for black people.

Listen to Look Back at it on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, what's good, y'all? You're listening to Learn the Hardway with your favorite therapist and host, Kear Games. This space is about black men's experiences, having honest conversations that it's really not safe to have anywhere, but you're having them with a licensed professional who knows what he's doing. How many men carry a suit or armor? It signals to the world that you're not to be played with. And just because you have the capability that does not mean that you need to, listen to learn the hard way on the AHA radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast.

This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.